This will be the second year in a row Melissa Merchant will run for the children at the Fuling orphanage!  Last year the miles she clocked in helped to make the First Hugs program possible for infants and toddlers. This year she runs so even more children can receive love and nurture from our First Hugs nannies in Gracie's Room.

Melissa says: Last year, as I was training for the "First Hugs" Chicago marathon, I thought it would be my last.  As a single mom, I just couldn't and didn't want to devote the time necessary to run 26.2 miles.

Well, long story short, here it is 2005 and I'm still a single mom -- now with 2 precious Fuling girls -- and I'm back to do it again.

I was so inspired by all the donations that came in last year, as well as the hard work of our dedicated parents who made Gracie's Room happen -- AND the fact that I made it across the finish line -- that I decided to join in again.

I recently received a free issue of Running Magazine. I took that as a hint to get busy training. Since my Baby Jogger is only a single-seater, I spend most of my training time at the gym, while Molly and Miranda enjoy the Kids Club.  For my "outdoor/hot/humid" training (we're in Atlanta), I put Molly in the Baby Jogger and Miranda (24.1 lbs) in the backpack and we go for a fast walk. Sometimes we take Grant, our 100lb dog, but I don't carry him.                                                      

   Melissa with daughters Miranda and Molly.

Please support Melissa and the other parents
running for the children!
Together we can be the difference in their lives.

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